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Publication
Methods for the collection of fish mucus: A systematic review
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The aquatic environment holds a vast source of organisms that provide numerous
opportunities to bioprospect new molecules. Notably, fish are producers of an epidermal
mucus that offers protection against pathogens, making it a promising source of bioactive
molecules. This source of molecules, however, has yet to be thoroughly explored, and
particularly, optimization of methods for collection and study is needed. This review
concentrates on the methods of mucus collection employed to secure high-quality samples,
enabling the extraction and characterization of molecules with bioactive potential. A
comprehensive search was conducted, and publications were selected based on the following
criteria: (i) the mucus has been collected from the external body of the fish, not involving
dissection or damage; (ii) mucus crude extracts have undergone a chemical or genetic
characterization; (iii) mucus was used in bioactivity assays (e.g., antimicrobial or
immune-related). Scraping, bagging, and absorption are the primary methods for collecting
fish mucus. They were assessed based on fish handling, sample volume, and processing,
including anesthesia and starvation. Scraping with a soft tool, such as cotton balls or sponges,
proved most effective and minimized contamination, dilution, and injury risk. This review aids
future studies of mucus composition and properties.
Description
Keywords
Bioprospection Bioactivity Skin mucus Fish immunity Aquatic organism
Citation
Fernandez Cunha, M., Coscueta, E. R., Brassesco, M. E., Almada, F., Gonçalves, D., & Pintado, M. (2024). Methods for the Collection of Fish Mucus: A Systematic Review. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 32(2), 334–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2023.2289012
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Ltd.